Last minute goal
thwarts United

EPWORTH faced Marshall’s at the weekend in this Jack Kalson League match on a very foggy Sunday morning.

United were defeated the last time they faced each other and this time hoped being on home turf would give them the advantage.

George Wigham played a lovely ball through for Owen Petch, who chipped the ball over the defence and Oliver Munday was unlucky when his shot hit the side of the netting.

Ethan Robinson took the ball on a good sprint up the left but the keeper collected his shot.

Pushing forward, Marshall’s were held off by some solid defending from Paul Fletcher who made some timely tackles.

With both teams battling hard to get on the score sheet the play was scrappy from both sides at times.

Shots from Wigham, Munday and George Algar were all collected by the keeper. At the other end Jordan Oliver made a well timed tackle to deny Marshall’s an attempt in the box.

Wigham showed great control on the ball and his pass to Algar was unfortunate to go wide as the first half drew to a close 0-0.

The second half started badly for Utd when Marshall’s scored two quick goals and the home side found themselves with a hill to climb. Credit to Epworth they knuckled down and were soon rewarded when a terrific cross from Carrington Osgood saw Munday finish well to narrow the gap.

Wigham almost levelled the score when his shot on target looped under the cross bar but a fingertip save by the visiting keeper cleared the ball out for a corner.

Utd were battling hard for that equaliser but Marshall’s were fighting to extend their lead further and a brilliant shot on target saw Brad Rusling make a tremendous save, launching himself at the ball and pushing it to safety.

The ensuing corner was cleared to the edge of the box and a quality tackle from Osgood kept Marshall’s out.

Epworth had several opportunities in the box that frustratingly came to nothing before a solo run up the wing and shot from Robinson gave Utd the goal they needed to level the score.

As the minutes ticked away both sides fought for the winner and Cal Smith had a battle in front of goal in which the ball rebounded out twice but just couldn’t be put away.

Fletcher had his shot tipped over the bar by an outstretched keeper but the two consecutive corners were cleared.

In the dying minutes Marshall’s snatched all three points from the game when they scored from a corner.

Utd were deflated as the whistle blew; coming back from two goals down only to lose the match in the final minute.

Man of the match was awarded to Carrington Osgood. This week’s match ball sponsor was Epworth Motorists Discount.